You too go into the vineyard. (see Matthew 20:1-16)
Our mission is to share God’s love and boundless mercy with Catholics in challenging circumstances through The Word Among Us magazine. Our goal is to foster ongoing conversion, leading to a deeper relationship with Christ, a growing life of prayer and Scripture reading, and more active participation in the sacraments.
The Word Among Us
25th Anniversary Issue
The Word Among Us Partners began its first ministry in 1989 by sending the magazine to 826 prisoners. Currently, more than 54,000 prisoners in the U.S. and Canada receive The Word Among Us free every month in english or spanish. Distribution is through prison chaplains and volunteers.
In 2005, a second ministry was started to Catholic service men and women, particularly those deployed overseas. At this time, 22,000 military persons receive the magazine. The Military Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. has come alongside us in this outreach.
In 2010, Partners began making The Word Among Us available to two groups of women in need: those seeking guidance at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and at Project Rachel programs (a post abortion ministry).
Prayer is at the very heart of this ministry. Please join us in praying for all of our brothers and sisters in prison, in the military, and elsewhere. Every week, The Word Among Us Partners prays for all of the special intentions that our partners send to us.
We invite you to partner with us in this great work of bringing Christ to our Catholic brothers and sisters who may be away from the support of family and local church. Please consider making a tax deductible donation.
Below you'll find a chronological list of how the Holy Spirit has led Partners since the ministry began in 1989.
Milestones: The Word Among Us Partners
1986: The Word Among Us magazine invites readers to donate for a prison “evangelism fund”.
1989: 826 prisoners receive magazine.
1997: 6,461 prisoners receive magazine.
1998: Angela Burrin is named director of ministry to prisoners.
2000: 14,000 prisoners receive magazine.
2001: 20,000 prisoners receive magazine.
2002: 22,000 prisoners receive magazine.
2003: 24,000 prisoners receive magazine.
• 45,000 prisoners receive the first pamphlet written specifically for prisoners: God Forgives….Can I?
• 7,000 prisoners receive the Spanish language edition of the pamphlet.
2004: 25,000 prisoners receive magazine.
2005: 25,000 prisoners receive magazine.
• Bryan Keilty is named director of ministry to service men and women.
• 5,000 service men and women receive magazine.
2006: 45,900 prisoners receive magazine.
• 12,000 service men and women receive magazine.
2007: 46,000 prisoners receive magazine.
• 14,500 service men and women receive magazine.
2008: 48,000 prisoners receive magazine
• 15,500 service men and women receive free subscriptions
• 5,000 service men and women receive The Compact Catholic Prayer Book from Word Among Us Press.
• A prayer pamphlet is written for women in prison: After Abortion God Offers Forgiveness, Healing, and Hope. Sent to 9,000 prisoners.
2009: 49,000 prisoners receive magazine.
• 16,500 service men and women receive magazine.
• Maurice Blumberg is named director of partner relations.
2010: 53,000 prisoners, 20,800 service men and women, and 2,000 women at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and Project Rachel programs receive magazine.
• A new ministry was started in 2010. Partners began making The Word Among Us magazine available to two groups of women in need: those seeking guidance at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and at Project Rachel programs (a post abortion ministry).
2011: 54,000 prisoners, 22,000 service men and women, and 6,500 women at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and Project Rachel programs receive magazine.
2013: Goal – Serve a total of 100,000 prisoners, service men and women, and women at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and Project Rachel programs with the magazine.